Ben Skywalker pulled out of from under the Jade Shadow and stared at his parents.

"Should we really be letting a sixteen year old do this?" Mara questioned nervously.

"You're just afraid he's going to mess up the Shadow." Luke said with a smile.

"So what if I am? That ship took a lot of effort over these years. I just don't want him to ruin it."

"He's fine, Mar. The boy has great aptitude when it comes to these things, reminds me of myself."

"So you took apart the family speeder on a daily basis, huh?"

"No, but I did help repair it a lot."

"Are you talking about me again?" Ben said, approaching them. "Because you're not being very discreet." He turned to his mother. "I'm fully capable of doing minor repairs andmaintenance on the Shadow."

Years ago, their son had been severely shaken by the Yuuzhan Vong war. So much so, he withdrew from the Force. Luke wanted his son to learn to be not afraid of it, but Mara talked him out of pushing Ben. When Ben reached the age of ten, he started to ask his Uncle Han about certain mechanical aspects. His uncle had only been too willing to show Ben the finer aspects of ship repair.

Luke and Mara had finally begun to see that their son was more interested in mechanics than anything the Force had to offer.

"I know you are, Baby."

"Mom, don't call me that." At her look, he reassured, "The Shadow is fine. Better than fine."

She looked at her ship. "So if I turn on something, it's not going to fry?"

Ben scowled. "Mom, a little more support please."

Mara sighed. "You're right, Ben."

"So, how does she look?" Luke asked.

"Have you guys really been keeping up the maintenance? Because it's shoddy in there."

"I do not do shoddy maintenance." Mara denied, looking insulted.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but as the foremost tech for the Shadow, I believe it's my duty to make sure she's in working order."

Mara worked her jaw, suddenly becoming annoyed.

"We'll be back," Luke excused.

"Why ever did we let him choose mechanics?" She grumbled.

"Because you said to let him follow his own path," Luke responded. "And we did, and he's learning. He'll gain employment with some reputable company, so in the end letting him work on the Shadow will be worth it."

"You're right…I did say that." She shook her head. "The last thing I ever want to do is make him resent us… He loves what he's doing, and I can actually say I'm happy for him."

Luke smiled and kissed Mara's forehead lovingly.

"Ugh, again," a voice said.

Luke and Mara turned to gauge their son. Ben was standing behind them, twisting a tool in his hand. His parents exchanged loving glances.

Ben sighed. "Look, as much as I hate to disturb you," He didn't. "I need to leave in a bit for a test, but I wanted to make sure the Shadow checked for you."

Mara smirked at her son's sarcasm.

"Don't push it…or you won't touch her again." She growled.

"And hinder my studies?" His eyes opened wide, in feigned shock.

Mara turned to her husband "Why is it when he becomes a smart mouth, he switches over to your type of humor?"

Lol. As much as I adore Jedi Ben, I quite enjoy it when he decides to be rebellious. And JL is right, mechanics have a much lower on-the-job mortality rate

Yep,
@Briannakin AU Ben is fun; still the same kind with the same mouth; just a different life.

As for him being safer; you are ALL correct. In fact, that's Luke and Mara's biggest relief is that he won't be putting his life in danger as a Jedi. I mean, he'll get into trouble...he's a Skywalker after all, but hopefully it won't be as much as his Dad.

Given that he learned starship repair from uncle Han I could see where the concern that turning one thing on would cause something else to fry might be valid.

Great story.

First of all, thanks.

Second: are you saying Han's bad at ship repair ? The Falcon is still running and its the "fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy". Plus it made "the kessel run in less than twelve parsecs'. Okay I'm done quoting the movies--for now.

But seriously, he may have learned from Han in the beginning but he's going to an academy to actually learn starship repair. That way he'll be able to be licensed to work with reputable company; maybe even a trading